Hoyer Statement on House Passage of Extension of Unemployment Insurance

For Immediate Release:

July 22, 2010

Contact Info:

Katie Grant(202) 225 - 3130

WASHINGTON, DC – House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today after the House passed the Motion to Concur in the Senate Amendments to H.R. 4213 - Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2010:

"Today the House took action to extend unemployment insurance for nearly 2.5 million Americans after weeks of Republican obstruction made it harder for millions of Americans to pay their bills and put food on the table. Some Republicans argue that unemployment benefits make the unemployed too lazy to work—but I find that hard to believe at a time when there are five unemployed workers for every one job opening available.

"Some Republicans also say we should only extend $34 billion in unemployment insurance if it is paid for, but then they also say we need to spend $676 billion on debt-financed tax cuts for the wealthiest in America.

"Democrats stand with the middle class who are still struggling from the Great Recession. We believe we owe them a strong policy of job creation not more tax cuts for the wealthy—and this extension is part of that policy. Economists know that there are few better ways to stimulate the economy than through unemployment insurance.

"As another important part of our recovery effort, Democrats are launching the Make it in America agenda, a strategy to revive American manufacturing and create more jobs. I look forward to bringing a range of strong manufacturing bills to the House floor in the weeks to come. And I look forward to President Obama’s much-needed signature on this extension of unemployment insurance."